Top tips for preventing shoplifting

By Josh Hall

According to a new report, shoplifters now steal goods worth £400,000
from British retailers every single day. The cost of shoplifting is
going up, and retailers need to consider ways to protect themselves.

Shoplifting losses are never welcome, but with many retailers concerned
about the potential for reduced consumer spending this year, protecting
yourself against theft has rarely been so important.

Preventing shoplifting is something of a Sisyphean task. But, while you
may never be able to eliminate the risk altogether, there are some
simple steps you can take to help protect yourself from thieves.

1. Install visible security

Many shoplifters are simply opportunists. If your shop looks like easy
pickings, your chances of falling victim to thieves are increased. On
the other hand, if your premises are visibly secure, many potential
shoplifters simply will not bother coming in.

Make sure that your security systems are within plain sight, but not
obtrusive. You may also consider displaying polite but firm notices
explaining that shoplifters will be prosecuted.

2. Minimise access

Customers should not have unnecessary access to products, particularly
if those products are of high value. Consider placing big-ticket items
in cases or behind counters. Alternatively, if you want potential
customers to be able to touch and try them, make sure that they are
properly secured.

You should also make sure that toilets and similar areas do not have
outside access. This will help to prevent shoplifters picking up an
item, taking it to the toilet, and leaving through a window.

3. Consider anti-theft technology

Many
retailers
use a range of anti-theft technology to help minimise the shoplifting
risk. This technology comes in many forms, and your choice will depend
on the nature of the products you sell.

You might choose, for example, to electronically tag your products. This
can be a very effective deterrent. You should also consider installing
CCTV systems, both to help you catch shoplifters and to help persuade
them not to bother in the first place.

4. Train staff

Your staff are amongst your most important and effective defences
against shoplifters. But in order to remain effective and, more
importantly, safe, they need to be properly trained.

You should make sure that all customer-facing staff know how to identify
potential shoplifters. Often, simply approaching a suspected shoplifter
and asking something like, “Can I help?” is enough to stop a theft. But
generally speaking, staff members should never be told to challenge
shoplifters. Instead, they should call a manager or the police and avoid
putting themselves in harm’s way.

5. Keep an accurate inventory

It is extraordinary how many retailers fall victim to shoplifters
without even realising it. You cannot protect yourself from shoplifters
unless you know exactly what is happening – and this means that you have
to keep an accurate inventory.

Make sure that every sale is marked off against your stock list. Any
unexplained discrepancies should be considered to be possible
shoplifting incidents. This will also help you to determine whether or
not your preventative efforts are successful; if the number of
discrepancies goes down, you are doing something right.

6. Consider civil recovery

Civil recovery schemes provide retailers with an opportunity to recover
the cost of stolen items through civil (as opposed to criminal)
proceedings. They are a potentially valuable way of cutting your
shoplifting losses.

It is important to remember, though, that civil recovery schemes have
been broadly criticised – primarily because a worryingly large number of
unscrupulous retailers have been misusing them. You should always take
independent legal advice when considering civil recovery.

Shoplifting is an unpleasant fact of life for retailers. But with a bit
of forethought you can help to reduce your potential losses from theft.